Dog control order could extend to country parks

A council has proposed extending a dog control public space protection order (PSPO) to include country parks.

North Northamptonshire Council introduced a PSPO that covered all public land in the authority's area in 2023, which is due to expire at the end of November.

Under the order dog owners can be fined or given fixed penalty notices if they fail to keep their dogs on a lead in certain areas.

Kirk Harrison, the council's executive member for regulatory services, said: "We know that most dog owners in the North Northants area are responsible and enforcement will only ever be used as a last resort."

Under the current PSPO, dog owners can be issued with £100 fixed penalty notices or be fined up to £1,000 in a magistrate's court if they fail to control their dog fouling on land and fail to keep it on a lead in identified areas and upon request.

In some areas dogs are excluded from being on the land.

The authority plans to extend the order to cover five country parks, including Barnwell Country Park, East Carlton Country Park, Fermyn Woods Country Park, Irchester Country Park and Sywell Country Park.

Three dog walkers at Sywell Country Park said they welcomed the council's extension of the PSPO.

Ricky Mayes, from St James in Northampton, said: "I love taking my dogs here and I think it's important that you keep your dogs on leads in these spaces because obviously there's children around, there's wildlife and you've got to keep an eye on them when they're pooping.

"Especially if you've got more dogs than just one because your eyes have to be everywhere."

Mandy, the BBC has agreed not to include her surname, from Burton Latimer, was walking her dog Baxter and said: "I think it's a good idea, because you never know the temperament of a dog they can get aggressive at any time.

"If there's lots of people about and lots of different dogs I always keep him on a lead."

Vicky, the BBC has agreed not to include her surname, from Overstone, was walking her dog Kanye at the country park and said: "I think it is a really good idea, dogs should be kept on their lead, they shouldn't be allowed to be running around for the safety of their dog and for people walking with children."

A report to North Northamptonshire Council executive stated that the PSPO continued to support responsible dog ownership and assist in protecting public spaces.

The executive on the Reform-led authority have been recommended to approve extending the order for three years at a meeting on Tuesday.

Harrison added: "These proposals have been designed to balance opportunities for people to exercise and enjoy their dogs with the need to protect wildlife, other park users and sensitive areas."

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